Carla Minami: Abistreich! at the DSW

Abistreich! at the DSW

Carla Minami

In 1971, Dr. Jan Apel, Sports teacher and department head, coach, and all-around DSW legend, had the great fortune of coming for her interview at the German School during an Abistreich. Here is her story:

Abistreich, ah yes, the rite of passage for graduating seniors at the German School. Picture it...you walk into the German School for the first time and you are greeted by students dashing about in togas with marijuana plants painted on their faces. The school seems to be in utter confusion as to who might be in charge while the

Class of 2005 blocks entrance to the teachers' room with class photographs, yellow caution tape, and multi-colored drinks. Abigeddon: The culmination of years at the German School

children run through the hallways throwing things, dodging glasses of water strategically placed on the floor and trying to hide from the individuals in the "white robes." The teachers were locked up in the teacher's room and it is hard to get to the main office for your job interview. Yes, my friends this is a typical Abistreich at the German School and Dr. Apel was here for her job interview 31 years ago!

I can only imagine what Dr. Apel must have thought that day or how she related this experience to those who asked her how her interview went. Ultimately, I am confident that the Abistreich can only be fully understood, and appreciated, once one has actually witnessed it. Nonetheless, not one to be intimidated by a challenge, I will attempt to give those readers who have not had the great fortune to take part in one of these events insight into the glory that is the Abistreich.

Perhaps it is best to begin by comparing Abistreich to Halloween. Just as American children love Halloween and await its arrival with eagerness that is nearly beyond description, so do German students look forward to the Abistreich. The extremely lucky students who attend German schools in America are best able to make the comparison and choose which of these events brings greater joy. Having been one of these favored children, I feel confident in pronouncing that Abistreich is the hands-down winner. Sure, Halloween brings candy, pranks, and excitement, but so does Abistreich, and although you don t get to wear a costume, faces are painted and most importantly classes are cancelled!

Now, I know your interest has been piqued, and you

re wondering what Abistreich is, exactly. cently graduated AbiturientInnen take It s glorious! Reover the school, play pranks and loud music, exact revenge on their teachers, and bring joy to their fellow students who have not yet been released into summer s freedom. Students

grades 5 through 11 look forward to Abistreich, almost more than summer vacation. As soon as the mündliche Prüfungen are conclud- ed, the speculation begins. Throughout the halls, When is the Abistreich? Do you know? can be heard. Proud siblings of AbiturientInnen dangle hints at their classmates while the teachers lounge buzzes with calculations and strategic processes of elimination.

Taking advantage of the feverish anticipation, the mischievous AbiturientInnen loved to trick everyone. All along Kentsdale Drive, students, teachers, and parents would see signs announcing that the ABISTREICH IS TODAY!, only to get to school and find classes proceeding on schedule. The only unusual aspect was in the faces of disappointment worn by those who had hoped to avoid that test or class for which they had forgotten their homework. Actually, I m glad that this tradition has faded having been a victim of this prank when I was in sixth grade: I happily left my backpack in my father s car, insisting I didn t need it. Instead of the great day I expected, I spent my day explaining my error and being scolded by annoyed teachers. Not cool.

What hasn t changed, and probably never will, is that on the actual golden day of Abistreich, mayhem and sugar-high children reign over the DSW. Rainbow colors coat the walls, the faces, and sometimes the ceilings and floors pared of the school. Anyone is the perfect target, and, who isn t properly prebelieve me, Abistreich is not the time or place to be caught unawares. In order to prevent others from the shock and uncertainty that Dr. Apel faced, I have prepared a brief set of rules to initiate the novice into the world of the Abistreich.

Road signs on imply that the Abistreich may be imminent.

Carla Minami s Guide to the ABISTREICH

1. EXPECT TO GET WET

I cannot emphasize this point enough. While some things may have changed since Dr. Apel s initiation into DSW culture (I seriously doubt that the school would allow students to have marijuana plants painted on their faces, but I guess there was a more relaxed culture, and, hey, it was that kind of time), her comment about dodging water cups is still spot water; Abiturienten like water. on. It s simple Kids like Water is present . . . at every Abistreich.

2. DON

T BOTHER HIDING

As soon as your name is called to appear onstage, if you re in the building, someone will find and betray you. Usually, the traitors are Unterstufenschüler. We forgive them because they are young and cute and excited. Just don t underestimate them. They will find you. The FBI should seriously consider hiring students in grades five through seven. They re amazing.

3. DON T TRUST THE ABITURIENTINNEN WHEN THEY CLAIM IT S OVER; THERE S STILL MORE TO COME

It wouldn t be an Abistreich if the students complied with every rule set forth by the school. One of the easiest and most innocuous rules to break is when the Abistreich ends. There s always a horror movie (without the gore). surprise left. It s like a

4. ENJOY THE MARKS USED TO IDENTIFY TEACHERS

An "L" on the forehead or cheek clearly marks a teacher.

5. BRING EARPLUGS, TECHNO/HOUSE MUSIC IS A MUST

Enough said.

6. MOURN AND MOVE ON. YOUR DESK HAS

BEEN MOVED; YOU LL NEVER SEE IT AGAIN.

It happens every year. The Abiturienten remove the desks from the classrooms. They stack them, use them as obstacles; certain ingenious Abiturienten may even

unscrew the desks. In any case, the desks aren t

returned. Summer vacation is around the corner. You ll

be okay.

7. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!

Objects fly through the air. It might be candy, a cup, a water balloon, a blow-up boxing glove, or a pie. Stay alert!

8. TAKE A CUE FROM THE JOYFUL UNTER- STUFENSCHÜLER/INNEN

These young students will be out of control, and the mature older students will be rolling their eyes and insisting they didn age. (They did.) t behave the same way at the same

9. DON T TAKE IT PERSONALLY

The Abiturientinnen have been up all night and are running on adrenaline and Red Bull/Starbucks coffee. They are loopy. Don t appropriately. Talk to them expect them tomorrow. to interact

10. ENJOY!

You may as well. There s no escape!

At this point, the astute reader will have asked him- or herself how the teachers feel about the Abistreich. This is a very interesting question. Naturally, the attitudes toward Abistreich vary greatly from teacher to teacher. I have to admit that I wrote the above from my former perspective that feelings about this of a student. As ritual have changed a a teacher, my bit. In my heart of hearts, I will always love Abistreich and with good reason. While Abistreich represents something very different to teachers, that s the fun of it. A friend once said to me, all year, the teachers get to make us feel foolish, so they should just deal with the pranks for a day. At the seemed that time, I nodded enthusiastically because it the teachers should simply accept the reversal of fortune rather than griping at being made to look foolish. My feelings changed, however, when I realized that some Abistreiche have crossed the line for some teachers. Of course teachers have a good sense of humor and are willing to be good sports, but that does not mean that they are willing to subject themselves to humiliation. It is not the teacher s goal to embarrass a student, thus it should not be a student s goal to embarrass a teacher. Unfortunately, as I stated in rule number nine, students are not always in their best form when Abistreich rolls around.

On the other hand, the Abistreich represents the culmination of the skills that the teachers have been working to give their students throughout the course of their academic careers. In order to pull off a successful Abistreich, a committee is formed. This committee must brainstorm, outline, organize, and plan the events of the Abistreich. The next task is to estimate budgetary requirements and begin fundraising in order to pay for the pranks. The AbiturientInnen are forced to enter the real world, so they tradition. Deadlines can meet the expectations of this must be met, creativity must be used, and confidentiality must be guaranteed.

Peter Dreher, English teacher and department head, long-time DSW teacher, and another legend of Chateau Drive, described some of the amazing antics past Abistreiche have entailed:

". . . orchestrating the activities with surprises and a Vegas-like stage-show rivals the best entertainment professionals. What could be more original than clothing the entire school building in a Christo-like blanket or hoisting a McDonald s flag on the DSW flagpole: You deserve a break today: It s Abistreich. Moreover, the cartoons, the satires and parodies, the student and teacher biographies, and the classroom dialogues would make even Heinrich Heine or Jonathan Swift chuckle. Indeed, the immortalize monuments erected by themselves and their students to achievements usually graduating center on a witty central theme of class that demonstrates verbal acumen the and sprezzatura: 'Veni, vidi, Abi!' They demonstrate industry, hard work, and rebellious playfulness."

Furthermore, the Abistreich does not merely consist of pranks and fun; their marks on it represents the students need to leave the DSW permanently. Particularly for those students who are so-called lifers or members of the Kindergarten crew, leaving the comfort, familiarity, and safety of the DSW is a scary concept. They will, in some cases for the first time, venture outside of the school natural that that has they helped form their identities. It s want to be remembered, for they only have contributed to shaping the DSW, just as it has contributed to shaping them. To this end, they create lasting monuments and put together Abi-Zeitungen. These accessories to the as important and necessary Abistreich have come to be as the tradition of the pranks themselves.

Now that Abistreich, you ve been properly here are some pictures introduced to help you to the picture this fantastic day. If you hear that an Abistreich is taking place, I strongly encourage you to bear witness. Swing by and experience this fun tradition for yourself.

Objects fly through the air. It might be candy, a cup, a water balloon, a blow-up boxing glove, or a pie. Stay alert!

Abitur class wrapped the German School in a Christo shroud.